Friday, April 23, 2010

Padres & Jóvenes Unidos Declaration on the Passage of Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Bill, SB 1070

Just a few hours ago, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 which requires police officers to arrest and detain anyone they suspect is undocumented. In essence, this anti-immigrant law has legalized racial profiling in Arizona, further spreading fear and desperation to immigrant and Latino communities throughout the state.

In the 1950’s, the US conducted “Operation Wetback” where over 2 million immigrants, mostly Mexicanos, were detained and deported by police and border patrol officials. It was an act of inhumanity and indecency. Today, most of our elected officials will deny wanting to repeat the most monstrous and ignorant moments of our country’s history for fear of bringing to public light the racism and xenophobic sentiments still alive - dark moments in which the public norm upheld federal laws like the introduction of Native American reservations, slavery, Jim Crow, the Japanese internment camps and “Operation Wetback.” None of us would like to think we are going back in time and repeating history. Yet, the passage of SB 1070 in Arizona begs to differ.

We cannot stand by and watch as immigrant and Latino communities in Arizona and throughout the country are harassed and terrorized. We cannot let similar proposals spread to other states. We must stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and the 4,500 students who came out to protest Go. Brewer’s decision. Upon the signing of SB 1070, President Ob ama stated that he would keep a close watch on how Arizona officials handle its implementation, but we call on him to do more than that. He must demonstrate stronger leadership in pushing comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act forward. The entire country must say enough is enough!

2 comments:

  1. What part of you can't invade another country don't they understand.

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  2. People who have crossed illegally should be sent back from where they came. The world has plenty of people who have embraced our culture, learned our language and been waiting years to come to the USA. The people who have sneaked in should be forced to leave to make room for those who played by the rules.

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